Steam Tofu With Minced Pork: A Quick, Delicious Dish

Steamed tofu with minced pork is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make dish. The silky texture of the tofu balances the savoury flavour of the meat, and the dish can be served with rice for a tasty meal. The tofu can be steamed or braised, or deep-fried for extra flavour and texture. The minced pork is marinated and then spread on top of the tofu before steaming, or it can be stir-fried and served as a sauce on top of the tofu. The tofu should be sliced carefully as it is delicate and can break easily. This dish is perfect for a quick and tasty meal that is sure to impress!

Preparing the tofu

Once you have your tofu slices, you can arrange them in a shallow heat-proof plate or bowl. You can place the tofu slices around the edges of the plate, slightly overlapping them, or simply lay them flat. This preparation is part of the traditional presentation of the dish.

If you are concerned about the tofu releasing water during cooking, you can take an extra step. Before adding the sauce or any other ingredients, place the tofu on a plate and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will allow some of the water to be released, which you can then pour out before continuing with the recipe.

Some recipes suggest deep-frying the tofu before steaming it to create a chewy 'skin' on the tofu, adding texture and flavour. To do this, gently place the tofu in a deep-frying basket and fry it in preheated oil at around 190°C/375°F until golden brown. This step is optional but can add a unique flavour and texture to your dish.

Now your tofu is prepared and ready for the next steps of your steamed tofu with minced pork recipe!

Preparing the pork

Next, you will need to marinate the pork. In a bowl, combine the ground pork with soy sauce, sesame oil, cooking wine, oyster sauce, potato or corn starch, and ginger powder. You can also add garlic and white pepper to the marinade for extra flavour. Mix well and let the pork marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb all the flavours.

If you want to briefly sauté the pork before steaming, heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add the pork and break it up. Add the oyster sauce and soy sauce and continue to cook for about 30 seconds, stirring to combine. At this point, you can also add cornstarch mixed with water to help retain the juiciness of the meat and bind the seasonings. Sprinkle with black pepper, then remove the pan from the heat.

Now your pork is ready to be steamed with the tofu!

Cooking the tofu

Firstly, prepare your tofu by removing it from its package and slicing it into half-inch-thick slices. Place the tofu slices on a plate.

Next, you'll want to prepare your steamer. You can use a steamer basket or a pot with a steamer insert. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. In the meantime, prepare your minced pork.

To prepare the minced pork, you can marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, cooking wine, oyster sauce, potato starch, and ginger powder for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can briefly sauté the ground pork with garlic, oyster sauce, and soy sauce before combining it with cornstarch and black pepper.

Once your pork is ready, spread it evenly over the tofu slices. When the water in your steamer is boiling, carefully transfer the plate of tofu and pork into the steamer, cover, and reduce the heat to medium. Steam for 10-15 minutes or until the tofu is fully cooked.

Once the tofu is cooked, carefully remove the cover of the steamer and sprinkle freshly chopped green onion on top to serve. You can also drizzle a bit of hot oil and soy sauce over the dish for extra flavour. Serve hot, with rice.

Cooking the pork

Marinating the Pork:

Start by preparing the marinade for the pork. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, cooking wine, oyster sauce, potato starch or cornstarch, and ginger powder. You can also add white pepper to the marinade for a subtle kick. Mix these ingredients well.

Mincing and Mixing:

Take a quarter pound of ground pork and add it to the marinade. Mix thoroughly until the pork is evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse into the meat. While the pork is marinating, you can slice the tofu and prepare the other ingredients.

Sautéing the Pork (Optional):

Some recipes suggest briefly sautéing the ground pork before steaming. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Sauté some minced garlic until fragrant, then add the pork. Break up the pork into small pieces and combine it with the seasonings. You can also add oyster sauce and a bit of soy sauce at this stage. Sauté for about 30 seconds, then remove the pan from the heat.

Steaming the Pork:

Now it's time to steam the pork and tofu together. Place the partially cooked pork (if you sautéed it) or the marinated raw pork in the centre of a shallow heat-proof plate. Arrange the tofu slices around the pork, slightly overlapping them. Drizzle the remaining soy sauce and a teaspoon of sesame oil over the tofu slices. Sprinkle some scallions and black pepper on top.

Cover the plate with foil to avoid water dripping onto the food, unless you're using a bamboo steamer, as their lids don't collect condensation. Place the plate in a steamer basket or a pot with a steamer insert. Steam for 10-15 minutes over medium heat, or until the pork is fully cooked.

And that's it! You've successfully cooked the pork for your steamed tofu with minced pork dish. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Serving suggestions

Steamed tofu with minced pork is a traditional Chinese dish that is both delicious and easy to make. It is a "cooling" food in traditional Chinese medicine, helping to eliminate toxins and clear out excess heat in the body. It is also packed with protein and has anti-inflammatory properties.

The tofu and minced pork can be served in a few different ways. One way is to simply place the tofu on a plate and top it with the minced pork mixture. The tofu will release some water, so it is important to pour away any excess liquid before serving. You can also sprinkle some chopped green onion on top for garnish.

Another option is to steam the tofu and minced pork together. To do this, spread the marinated minced pork onto the tofu slices and place them in a steamer basket or a pot with a steamer insert. Steam for 10-15 minutes or until the pork is fully cooked. Again, be sure to pour off any excess liquid before serving, and garnish with green onion.

This dish is often served with rice, which soaks up the delicious juices from the sauce. For an extra touch of flavour, drizzle the dish with hot oil and soy sauce, or sprinkle with fried shallots.

Frequently asked questions